Re: [CR] PXN10E?? (& English threadings)

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

From: "David Snyder" <dddd@pacbell.net>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <356061.13177.qm@web82205.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
In-Reply-To: <356061.13177.qm@web82205.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 18:52:51 -0700
Subject: Re: [CR] PXN10E?? (& English threadings)


Jerry Moos wrote:

"However, I don't remember when Peugeot actually switched to English HS and BB thread, so if it was still French in 1979, that may have limited the sales of framesets in the US."

I have two 1979 Peugeots, both new-looking riders. The UO9 (Super Sport top tube script) has English threads at the bb, but used a claw-mount derailer.

My '79 PKN-10E "Competition" bb cup would not budge, using BIG wrench. I had to rebuild it from the left side. I suspect I was trying to turn the fixed cup clockwise, making it, too likely English.

My 1978 UO9 (no script) has French bb threads, and the older, longer stays and shallower seat tube angle (clearly "pre-Super-Sport").

"BTW, there was also a "Competition" frameset which from Chuck's catalogs seems to have been 531 DB main tubes most years, although it might have been Super Vitus in some years. This was very similar but typically with half-chromed forks, painted stays."

My '79 PKN-10E looks almost identical to the pictured "pearl blue" Super Competition with the oddly generic hubs and E2 rims, tho mine has the red-banded Atom hubs with ModE rims.

"The DO's were still Simplex, but IIRC, they had begun threading and notching them to accept a Campy RD or clone, which still did not interfere with using a Simplex RD."

My '79 PKN-10E has campy-style Simplex hanger, but came with a later, non-original Shimano touring derailer. I fitted a Simplex-built Ofmega Premier with it's "regular" threaded hanger bolt.

My cheaper Peugeots garner compliments worthy of a pro model, but perhaps all of these local, non-vintage complimenteurs don't remember too well what the differences were. A bit of polish goes a long way, and I filed and sanded the seams off the knuckles of my UO-9's SX-410GT derailer before polishing thoroughly. It also features a laptop-esque Peugeot Sport Computer that gets many a stare, having 10 dedicated function buttons and taking as long as 10 seconds to respond to rider inputs via the keyboard. I feel lucky that it works at all. The original 49D crankset on my (1979!) PKN-10E also looks the part of a true classic, and it takes a moment or three to distinguish it's not a "pro" bike.

Peugeot, it seems, seemed to have the cheap-bike style thing down pat.

David Snyder
Auburn, CA usa